For years, East and West Coast hip hop artists have been pitted against one another. With styles that are as vastly different as day and night, this is a topic that could be argued till the end of time. The West Coast, known for its mind-altered, elevating styles, that helped coin the term “Gangsta Rap”, have bred such greats as 2Pac, the legendary N.W.A, The D.O.C and Snoop Doggy Dog. The East has crowned emcees such as Nas, Jay-Z and Rakim the kings of the coast, known for their story-telling pen skills and boastful lyrics. Just imagine an emcee blessed with the “the best of both worlds” or both coasts, so to speak. Enter, The Angeles child, Top Notch Karas.
The only son of his bi-racial mother (African American and Caucasian) and Salvadoran father, Karas (which is a shortened version of the Ancient Egyptian form of Christ, Karast*) was born in Hollywood, California, raised in L.A, from Glendale to Echo Park (and all parts in between*), coming of age in East South Central Los Angels. He then relocated to Boston, MA in 2001.
Although music is a part of Karas’ lineage (both his Grandmother and Uncle were skilled vocalists), being an artist was not something that Karas was seriously focused on in the beginning. Growing up, his mother had exposed him to various styles of music, from Nirvana, Depeche Mode and The Cure, to Billie Holiday and Otis Redding. As he became older, Karas also took an interest in emcees such as 2Pac, Pastor Troy, UGK (Under Ground Kings), Bone Thugs and Harmony, Styles P, T.I and Rakim. In the late 90’s, Karas would often find himself freestyling with friends as a way to pass time during his English class at Jefferson High School. But that would change soon after Karas roots were transplanted to the East Coast.
In 2002, while volunteering at a non-profit youth organization, called Critical Breakdown, Karas crossed paths with J the S (Jake The Snake, of the Boston based hip hop group, The Greater Good*). Jake saw potential in young Karas and took him under his wing, schooling him on the art of music making, rhyme schemes, song structure and motivating him to develop and master the talents that Karas, until then, had never truly tapped into. Karas’ music career began soon after, with him taking the position of Jake The Snake’s hype man, improving his own stage presence, testing which cadences sounded best and readying him for the spotlight. In the summer of 06, The Greater Good welcomed Karas as an official crew member.
These days, you can find Karas bringing the essence of raw live performance to the stage with his animated presence, alongside his East Coast brethren, The Greater Good (J The S, Lord Touch, Prone2, Amadeus and Speks), or laying low in an elevated mind state, penning his next lyrical masterpiece. This artist is a living, flame-spitting example that East and West coast hip hop can coexist, forever progressing and expanding the listener’s ways of thinking. And you can be certain that Karas’ verbal offerings will never be anything less than “Top Notch”.
For Artist Bookings / Info, Contact:
kriz323@gmail.com
Bio Written by M. Boyette / RESTLESS ENTERTAINMENT: RestlessEnt@gmail.com
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